Crampon

ABSTRACT

A crampon  3  comprises a main structure  7  and means  12  for the removable connection with a boot  2,  wherein the removable connection means  12  comprise engagement means  14  adapted to engage an engagement seat  15  of the boot  2  and an elastically deformable connection structure  18  associated with the engagement means  14.  The connection structure  18  is shaped so that, when the crampon  3  is connected to the boot  2,  following a predetermined elastic deformation of the connection structure  18,  the engagement means  14  disengage the engagement seat  15  of the boot  2.

It is the object of the present invention a crampon, in particular a crampon adapted for connecting with a boot.

Crampons are accessories that can be attached in a removable manner to boots, in a manner so as to facilitate the walking of the user who wears them on glaciers, snow or on terrain with similar characteristics. For such purpose, crampons have a main structure equipped with pointed portions suitable for partially embedding into the ground, so as to ensure a suitable grip thereon.

In order to allow the use of the same boots both in the presence of ice, a condition which generally requires the use of the crampons, and without ice, a condition which generally renders the presence of crampons superfluous, crampons have suitable connection means which allow their connection to and disconnection from the boots.

An example of crampon-boot kit is disclosed in the document FR 2810212. The disclosed boot comprises two lateral projections which are movable following the operation on a button accessible from the rear of the sole of the boot itself. Such lateral projections engage grooves prearranged in corresponding projecting portions provided on the side of the main structure of the crampon. Between the button and the lateral projections, a mechanism is provided for, arranged inside the sole of the boot in such a manner that a movement of the button obtains a movement of the lateral projections. On the front part, the crampon has a bracket with the function of connection to the toe of the boot.

Such a kit according to the prior art is nevertheless not free from drawbacks.

Beyond with a simple conformation of the crampon, a rather complex configuration of the boot is necessary, which, as stated, must be equipped with a special mechanism for actuating the lateral projections.

The presence of such mechanism naturally leads to a high boot weight, as well as high bulk.

In addition, the prearrangement of the mechanism involves complex boot construction operations, which inevitably is subjected to not negligible production costs.

Finally, the mechanism can be subjected to breakage or jams which can lead to the impossibility of application or removal of the crampon during use, with consequent impossibility of use of the kit in some circumstances.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a crampon such to at least partially overcome the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art.

In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a structurally simple, light, economical and reliable crampon.

These and other objects are achieved by means of a crampon according to claim 1.

In order to better understand the invention and appreciate the advantages thereof, several of its non-limiting, exemplifying embodiments will be described below, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a kit comprising a boot and a crampon according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a portion of a crampon according to a possible embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the portion of the crampon of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic partial rear view of a boot connectable to a crampon according to the invention.

With reference to the figures, a kit is indicated with 1, which kit comprises a boot 2 and a crampon 3. Preferably, the boot 2 and the crampon 3 belonging to the same kit are adapted for being mutually connected. Still more preferably, the kit 1 comprises two boots, one for the left foot and one for the right foot, respectively, and the same number of crampons 3, a left crampon adapted for being connected to the left boot and a right crampon adapted for being connected to the right boot, respectively.

The boot 2 and the crampon 3 are mutually connectable in a removable manner. In this manner, the boot 2 can be used both in a manner independent of the crampon 3, and in combination therewith. The crampon 3 has the function of allowing the user of the kit 1 to cross over icy or snowy terrain or the like, and it is thus connected to the boot 2 in such circumstances. When the crossing of such zones is not required, the crampon 3 can be disconnected from the boot 2, which can therefore be used in an entirely autonomous manner, from the crampon 3.

The boot 2 has a conformation suitable for receiving the foot of a user and for such purpose it is shaped for substantially following the foot shapes. It has a main body 4 which delimits a seat 5 at its interior for the user's foot. In addition, it normally has a sole 6 and closure means 31 such as to allow an easy insertion of the foot in the foot seat 5 and its fastening to the boot 2 once this has been put on. The closure means 31 can be variously shaped according to per se known methods (e.g. these can include: belts, strings or mechanical closure means, preferably adjustable).

The crampon 3 comprises a main structure 7, preferably made of a metal material, still more preferably having a form such as to be adapted and follow the shape of the sole 6 of the boot 2.

According to one possible embodiment, the main structure 7 of the crampon 3 includes adjustment means for the adaptation of the main structure 7 to boots of different size (e.g. to boots having different foot size numbers). For such purpose, the main structure 7 of the crampon 3 can for example comprise a rear portion 8 and a front portion 9, movable with respect to each other, so that they can be placed at variable distances from each other. It is observed that in the present description and in the attached claims, the terms “front” and “rear” are referred to the boot and the crampon in their normal use conditions, i.e. when they are worn by the user. The rear portion therefore corresponds to the heel zone of the user's feet, while the front zone corresponds to the toes zone of the user's feet.

In order to make it possible the relative movement of the rear portion 8 and of the front portion 9 of the crampon 3, the main structure 7 preferably includes a connection bar 10 along which the rear portions 8 and the front portions 9 can slide. There are then provided suitable locking means that are adapted to lock the rear portion 8 and the front portion 9 in a plurality of relative predefined positions. For instance, the connection bar 10 can be equipped with a plurality of holes 13, each corresponding to a predefined portion, by means of which, e.g. via a screw, the rear portion 8 and/or the front portion 9 can be locked with respect to the connection bar 10 itself. Preferably, only the rear portion 8 is locked to the connection bar 10.

In order to ensure the suitable grip of the crampon 3 on the ground, in particular whether icy or snowy, the latter advantageously comprises pointed portions 11 suitable for embedding therein. According to one possible embodiment, the pointed portions 11 are made integrally with the main structure 7 of the crampon 3 and, preferably, they are provided both in its rear portion 8 and in its front portion 9. The pointed potions 11 are preferably distributed along the entire lateral periphery of the main structure 7 of the crampon 3.

In order to allow the removable connection between the boot 2 and the crampon 3, the latter comprises suitable removable connection means 12. The removable connection means 12 include engagement means 14 adapted to engage a corresponding engagement seat 15 of the boot 2. When the engagement means 14 of the crampon 3 engage the engagement seat 15 of the boot 2, the boot 2 and the crampon 3 are at least partially connected together. According to one possible embodiment, the engagement means 14 include one or more pins 16 adapted for being inserted in the engagement seat 15, which preferably includes one or more grooves 17 adapted for being engaged by the pins themselves. Preferably, there are two pins 16. Analogously, there are preferably two grooves 17, so that each of the pins 16 corresponds with one of the grooves 17. The grooves 17 are preferably approximately shaped like overturned Ls (FIG. 4).

The crampon 3 comprises a connection structure 18 to which there are associated engagement means 14, in particular the pins 16. The connection structure 18 is elastically deformable and it is shaped in a manner so that, when the crampon 3 is connected to the boot 2, in particular by means of the engagement of the engagement means 14 in the engagement seat 15, following a predetermined elastic deformation of the connection structure 18, the engagement means 14 disengage the engagement seat 15 of the boot 2, in particular the pins 16 of the crampon 3 disengage the grooves 17 of the boot 2.

In accordance with a possible embodiment, the connection structure 18 comprises a plate 19 associated with the main structure 7 of the crampon 3. Preferably, the pins 16 are connected to the plate 18.

As will be clear to the man skilled in the art, the operations of connection and disconnection of the crampon 3 to and from the boot 2 are based on the elastic deformability of the connection structure 18, particularly of the plate 19. It is in fact sufficient to act on the latter (e.g. along the arrow P in the figures) in order to cause a deformation thereof such as to cause a movement of the engagement means 14 (consistent with the arrow P), in particular of the pins 16. When the crampon 3 and the boot 2 are connected, such a deformation is translated into a movement of the pins 16 such that these exit from the grooves 17 of the boot 2.

The deformability of the connection structure 18, and in particular of the plate 19, also makes the connection between the crampon 3 and the boot 2 extremely easy. Indeed, by acting on the plate 19 (still along the arrow P) from its non-deformed status in a manner so as to deform it, the pins 16 move into a position where it is possible to position the boot 2 and the crampon 3 into a suitable position for their coupling. By releasing the plate 19, one obtains the effect of lessening the elastic deformation (hence the plate deforms in the direction opposite the arrow P), with the consequence that the pins 16 automatically engage the grooves 17 of the boot 2.

Naturally, the connection structure 18, and particularly the plate 19, must be shaped in a manner such that the elastic deformation suitable for creating the disengagement of the grooves 17 by the pins 16 can only occur after the application of a force of a predetermined minimum entity (or greater forces). In other words, the connection structure 18 and the plate 19 are such that their possible elastic deformations due to the normal use of the kit 1 (e.g. a walk along icy or snowy terrain) does not cause the pins 16 to disengage the grooves 17. Conversely, in order to obtain such effect, the user must operate on the connection structure 18 and on the plate 19 with a predetermined minimum intensity, beneath which the disengagement does not occur.

As will be clear to the main skilled in the art, therefore, the crampon according to the invention allows a coupling as well as an uncoupling with the boot that requires extremely simple operations. Since it is not necessary to provide for special mechanisms; as occurs instead in the kits according to the described prior art, the overall weight and bulk of the kit is limited, that greatly improves the handling and the transportability of the kit. Finally, the connection system at the base of the described crampon is structurally very simple—and therefore economical—and is very unlikely to fail. Hence, also the reliability of the kit according to the present invention results thus increased.

In accordance with one possible embodiment, the engagement means 14 and the connection structure 18, in particular the pins 16 and the plate 19, are arranged at the rear in the main structure 7 of the crampon 3. In this manner, the boot is engaged at the rear part and for such purpose also the engagement seats 15, and in particular the grooves 17, are advantageously arranged at the rear of the boot 2, preferably at the rear of the sole 6 of the boot 2.

The connection system so far described allows the mutual coupling of the boot 2 and the crampon 3 only at the pins 16 and grooves 17. In order to make a still more stable coupling, there are advantageously provided second removable coupling means 20 between the boot 2 and the crampon 3. According to a possible embodiment, such second connection means 20 include a bracket 21, preferably connected with the crampon 3, still more preferably connected in a rotatable manner thereto, adapted to locally constrain the boot. For instance, the bracket can be arranged in the front portion 9 of the crampon, and be rotatable with respect thereto around an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L of the crampon 3. In this manner, the bracket 21 may block the front part of the boot. For instance, the bracket 21 can lock the boot 2 at a projecting portion 22 of the boot 2, preferably made from the sole 6, laterally projecting from the boot 2 at least from the front.

Advantageously, the plate 19 is made of metal material and still more preferably it has a thin thickness. With the expression “thin thickness”, it is intended that the plate 19 has a transverse extension much less than the extension of its other main dimensions. Such conformation allows to obtain the desired elastic deformability of the plate 19 toward predetermined stresses of the user, according to that described above. The plate 19 may also have sized weak zones so as to give them the desired elasticity. For instance, the plate 19 can include one or more weak holes 23 made for such purpose.

Preferably, the plate 19 is extended in a direction such as to partially cover the zone of the heel of the boot 2 (FIG. 1).

In accordance with an embodiment not illustrated in the figures, the plate 19 is connected in a substantially rigid manner to the main structure 7 of the crampon 2. In this manner, if the movements due to its elastic deformability are excluded, the plate substantially cannot carry out movements with respect to the main structure 7 of the crampon 3.

According to a further possible embodiment, the plate 19 is instead movable with respect to the main structure 7 of the crampon 3. More particularly, the plate 19 is movable with respect to the main structure 7 between a work position and a rest position. The work position corresponds to the position of the plate 19 suitable for the engagement of the engagement seat 15 of the boot by the engagement means 14. The rest position instead corresponds with a position in which such engagement is not allowed, but in which the bulk of the crampon 3 due to the plate 19 is small, since the plate 19 is no longer situated in a position such as to be able to enclose the heel of the boot at the rear. For instance, in the rest position of the plate 19, it can be arranged substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis L of the crampon 3. For such purpose, the main structure 7 of the crampon 3, in particular its rear portion 8 to which the plate 19 is preferably associated, may comprise a housing hole adapted to partially receive the plate 19 when this lies in its rest position.

The mobility of the plate 19 with respect to the main structure 7 of the crampon 3 can be achieved according to various modes.

In accordance with one possible embodiment, the plate 19 is rotatable with respect to the main structure 7, in particular with respect to its rear portion 8, preferably overturnable with respect thereto. For such purpose, the plate 19 can be hinged to the rear portion 8 of the crampon, e.g. in two points, so that it is rotatable (along the arrow F of FIG. 3) around a rotation axis R preferably orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L of the crampon 3.

The plate 19 is advantageously shaped so that, when it lies in its work position, a lower portion 25 thereof abuts against a rear abutment portion 26 of the rear portion 8 of the crampon 3, and when it lies in its rest position, an upper portion 27 thereof abuts against a front abutment portion 28 of the rear portion 8 of the crampon 3. In this manner, it is ensured that there is limited movement of the plate 19 between the rest position and the work position. When the plate 19 is in work position, the abutment of the lower portion 25 of the plate 19 on the rear abutment portion 26 of the rear portion 8 of the crampon 3 ensures that the elastic bending substantially occurs in its further parts with respect to the lower portion 25.

In order to ensure an even higher stability to the connection between the crampon 3 and the boot 2, the plate may comprise one or more, preferably two openings 29 for the passage of a strip 30 intended to wrap around the boot 2.

From the above description, the man skilled in the art will be able to appreciate that the crampon according to the invention allows a connection to and a disconnection from the boot that is quick and easy, corresponding with structurally simple connection means.

The relative connection between the crampon and the boot is reliable and their lightness and manageability qualities are not compromised.

The man skilled in the art will further appreciate that, thanks to the shape of the crampon, particularly complex working operations of the boot and/or crampon are not required in order to prearrange the means for the mutual connection. Consequently, also the costs for their working are reduced.

To the above described embodiments of the crampon, the man skilled in the art will be able to make numerous additions, modifications or substitutions of elements with other functionally equivalent elements, in order to meet specific contingent needs, without however departing from the scope of the following claims. 

1. A crampon comprising a main structure and means for the removable connection with a boot, wherein said removable connection means comprise engaging means suitable to engage an engaging seat of the boot, and a connection structure elastically deformable to which said engaging means are associated, said connection structure being shaped so that, when the crampon is connected to the boot, following a predetermined elastic deformation of said connection structure, the engaging means disengage the engaging seat of the boot.
 2. The crampon according to claim 1, wherein said engaging means and said connection structure are arranged in the rear of said main structure, so as to be able to engage the rear of boot.
 3. The crampon according to claim 1, wherein said connection structure comprises a deformable plate elastically associated with the main structure.
 4. The crampon according to claim 3, wherein said plate is made of a metallic material.
 5. The crampon according to claim 3, wherein said plate has a thin thickness.
 6. The crampon according to claim 3, wherein said plate is connected in a substantially rigid manner to said main structure.
 7. The crampon according to claim 3, wherein said plate is mobile relative to said main structure between a working position, suitable for the connection of the crampon to the boot, and a rest position, suitable to limit the overall dimensions of the crampon when this is disconnected from the boot.
 8. The crampon according to claim 7, wherein said plate is rotatable relative to said main structure between said working position and said rest position.
 9. The crampon according to claim 7, wherein said plate is overturning between said working position and said rest position.
 10. The crampon according to claim 3, wherein said plate comprises one or more openings for the passage of a band intended to wrap the boot.
 11. The crampon according to claim 1, wherein said engaging means include one or more pins suitable to insert within said engaging seat of the boot.
 12. The crampon according to claim 3, wherein said engaging means are associated with the plate. 